The initial assessment (March 2007) of the Department of Water Works laboratory identified the need to improve the laboratory infrastructure as a first step towards improved water quality monitoring. Through WQM efforts the Department of Water Works is investing in a new laboratory infrastructure with completion expected by early November 2009. Following this, laboratory equipment and in-country capacity building training will be provided. In the meantime, capacity building of the laboratory staff has continued with the Water Quality Officer of Water Works being sponsored to attend the sub-regional water quality laboratory training organised by WQM in Suva, Fiji Islands (May 2007). Training on strengthening community-based monitoring has also progressed well in Cook Islands.